Liverpool's resilience and determination found an ideal match in Diogo Jota, a city known for its battles and struggles.
Diogo Jota, a Portuguese footballer who became a beloved figure at Liverpool Football Club, tragically passed away at the age of 28 in a car accident in Spain in 2025. His career was marked by rapid success at Anfield, where he became a key attacking figure and fan favourite, contributing significantly to the club's silverware haul.
Jota joined Liverpool in September 2020 for an initial fee of around £41 million, rising with add-ons to £45 million. He quickly adapted, scoring on his Premier League debut and becoming the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler in 1993 to net 7 goals in his first 10 appearances. Jota scored Liverpool’s 10,000th club goal in a UEFA Champions League match and recorded a Champions League hat-trick against Atalanta in November 2020.
Over five seasons, Jota made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals, playing a crucial role in Liverpool’s success, including winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield, and Carabao Cup. His performance against Manchester City in October 2022 was one of the most memorable for Liverpool supporters, despite the team's struggles and the upcoming World Cup.
Jota's former teammates, Andy Robertson and Caoimhín Kelleher, have shared tributes to him on social media, referencing his enjoyment of less-Portuguese pastimes like darts and horse racing. His playing style was characterized by scampering energy, aggressiveness, and a sense of mischief in his goals.
Off the pitch, Jota was described as down-to-earth, humble, and a family man. The city of Liverpool, which has often had to fight, as shown by the riots in Liverpool in 1981, embraced Jota as one of its own. The city has experienced another tragedy less than six weeks ago, when a car rammed into a crowd of people at a parade to celebrate the club's Premier League title win, injuring dozens of people, including children.
Jota's wife and their three children are experiencing great pain following his death. His death has left Liverpool grieving the loss of one of its most beloved sons. The city of Liverpool has a strong sense of community and unity, as shown by the tributes left for Jota outside Anfield, including items from fans of Liverpool's local rival, Everton.
Before his time at Liverpool, Jota played for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Atletico Madrid. His tenacity and hard work on the field, as well as his vocal philosophy about it, made him a popular figure among Liverpool supporters. The Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters in 2016, was a result of the establishment's actions, including the local police and some sections of the British media.
Jota became one of the best players for Wolverhampton Wanderers and later signed for Liverpool in 2020. His international career included representing Portugal at the highest levels, including the 2022 World Cup, although specific match-by-match details from the tournament were not provided.
Jota's death has left a void in the footballing world, but his memory will live on in the hearts of Liverpool supporters and the city that he came to call home.
[1] BBC Sport. (2020). Diogo Jota joins Liverpool from Wolves for £41m. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54349226
[2] BBC Sport. (2025). Diogo Jota dies in car crash aged 28. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57379593
[3] Liverpool FC. (2021). Diogo Jota. [online] Available at: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/players/diogo-jota
[4] BBC Sport. (2022). Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62712285
[5] FIFA.com. (2022). FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ - Matches. [online] Available at: https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html
- Diogo Jota, a beloved figure at Liverpool Football Club, excelled in the sport, making significant contributions to the club's success across various European leagues, including the Premier League.
- During his time at the club, Jota showcased his talents in sports analysis, making fans remember his scampering energy and mischievous goals, especially his hat-trick against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League.
- Beyond his football career, Jota was known for his involvement in less-Portuguese pastimes like darts and horse racing, and was described as a down-to-earth, humble family man. His legacy as one of Liverpool's most beloved sons indeed lives on in the hearts of the city and its supporters.
